U.S. military controversial in Manila, welcome elsewhere

ADAM BROWNAssociated Press

Published Saturday, January 26, 2002

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines -- Three beefy U.S. soldiers draw a giggle from passing schoolgirls. A young American officer takes a sweaty jog, ignored by civilians and Philippine troops. Six Americans in camouflage pants and black T-shirts chat with Filipino soldiers as they wait to unload a cargo plane.

The U.S. military is here -- and more American soldiers are coming -- but thus far their low-profile presence has barely disturbed this southern city's lazy atmosphere.

The United States will eventually send 600 U.S. troops to the Philippines to train its soldiers to fight the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim group holding two U.S. hostages and linked to Osama bin Laden's terror network. That mission may take the Americans to combat zones on Basilan Island, some 12 miles from Zamboanga.

But for now, the 96 American soldiers already at the Philippine military base here maintain a routine that largely keeps them out of the public eye.

"They're busy with preparation," said Maj. Noel Detoyato, the Philippine army spokesman for the training mission. "They do not go out at night and they stay in their facilities."

The U.S. soldiers are prohibited from speaking to the media but will occasionally chat with a reporter, expressing mild tedium.

The Abu Sayyaf, about 800 fighters notorious for kidnappings and beheadings, hold a missionary couple from Kansas and a Filipino nurse on Basilan. Some 7,000 Filipino soldiers are on the island to wipe out the rebels and rescue the hostages.

Martin and Gracia Burnham were kidnapped last May 27 along with 17 Filipinos and Guillermo Sobero of Corona, Calif. Sobero and several Filipino hostages later were beheaded.

Although some U.S. troops, including 160 from the special forces, are to visit combat zones, the Philippine Constitution bars foreign soldiers from fighting on its soil.

The Americans will be allowed to carry weapons and can return fire if attacked.

About 50 people, including relatives of former hostages, gathered outside the air base in Zamboanga on Friday to shout support for the U.S. troops.

"Thank you USA," chanted some demonstrators. "Never again do we want to be terrorized."

The possibility of U.S. troops firing at Filipinos, even guerrillas, has sparked stormy debate in Manila. The Senate has launched an inquiry, and several organizations of Muslims, leftists and nationalists threaten to split with the government on the issue.

About 70 members of a women's rights group and a leftist organization gathered Friday outside the U.S. Embassy in Manila to protest the U.S. military presence. They carried placards saying "Fight U.S. Imperialist Intervention" and chanted: "Yankees go home!"

"We believe this is one form of intervention in the problem of our country that should be solved by our own government, not by a foreign government like America," said a spokeswoman, Lana Linaban. "This will lead to the abuse of our children and women as has happened before in the Philippines and other countries."

Philippine military spokesman Brig. Gen. Edilberto Adan said the American troops will help Zamboanga's economy.

He said he had heard that there has already been an order for 250 cellular telephones and the Americans said they will buy mineral water and other goods. He also said the local golf course would also benefit because it is close to a Zamboanga military camp.

Roland Buendia, who sells dry biscuits, Coca-Cola and cigarettes in a shack outside the Malugatay army camp where 120 U.S. soldiers will be billeted, said he welcomes the Americans.

"I think they can help us get rid of this terrorist problem," he said. "Maybe they will come to my store too."